Trent Cole Signs With Indianapolis
March 10th, 2015
The Bucs lost a fish on the hook today.
Via Joe’s friend Steve Duemig of WDAE-AM 620, defensive end Trent Cole and his 85.5 career sacks, have signed with the Bucs after Tampa Bay “put a totally aggressive and professional fight right to the end.”
Joe has learned Cole has scored big money, upwards of $6 million per year on a long term contract.
The Bucs continue their search for an effective edge rusher.
Joe finds the Bucs’ plan of attack here to be quite telling on the Michael Johnson front. Clearly, Cole would have replaced Johnson.
The Bucs are on the hook to Johnson for another $7 million on Thursday, if he’s on the roster.
March 10th, 2015 at 5:04 pm
It’s okay – he’s 32 and probably looked at winning and a playoff contender as the tie breaker!
It’s totally understandable
March 10th, 2015 at 5:05 pm
Sheard and Morgan….let’s make it happen bucs
March 10th, 2015 at 5:05 pm
I just wanted to get my comment in before all the Negative Nancy’s came in here talking about how much the Bucs suck and no one wants to play for them.
These are the same people that would be upset if Cole signed with us and didn’t perform up to par. They’d likely say that Tampa overpaid and should have never signed that bum.
March 10th, 2015 at 5:08 pm
@celly
who do you want/think the bucs should go after trade or free agancy and what should we do with the #1 pick? do you think the team is on the right path with the players we have? do you think this team has “holes”, and if so, what are they?
thanks.
March 10th, 2015 at 5:10 pm
It seems pretty obvious that Chip Kelly is trying to make a play for Mariotta. They now own the 10th pick but they need more chips because the wild card in Tennessee. I think the Bucs would be willing to trade the pick but want to assure an opportunity to draft Winston. This could get really interesting.
March 10th, 2015 at 5:10 pm
Come on Joe can you go to any one else’s show besides his? I’m so sick of his voice and his bullying antics. I hope you stand up to him again today. but I’d love to see JP in his spot or at least from 9-12. Then you could go on then.
March 10th, 2015 at 5:11 pm
Why the f**k would anyone decent want to come to the Bucs?
This team is a disgrace and everyone knows Lovie will be a lame duck with a rookie QB = disaster.
Most players in the NFL (Cept: Goldson, Collins, Johnson, etc…) want to win and play for a contender.
The Sucs are no contender.
Go Sucs!!!!
March 10th, 2015 at 5:11 pm
All he holes on this crap team and all the big FA are gone. So were gonna get sold on some tier B players and told it’s for depth. We need starters at atleast 7 or 8 spots.
Ridiculous
And no we so t want some more bears crap like Chris concussion conte
Hello we have the WORST line in football.
Memo to bucs you are allowed to sign players now. Maybe an offensive lineman since we have the worst? Oh wait all are almost gone. No worries we will just bank on a 3rd or 4th rounder lmao.
March 10th, 2015 at 5:14 pm
Seems like the only free agent that we are going to get is Greg Hardy. Not completely against it because he is gonna need a pay Check so pay go cheap.
March 10th, 2015 at 5:15 pm
If Tenn is willing to trade #1 to Phil…then we could trade with Tenn….I know it sounds crazy…but it could all be pre-arranged……that way….we could get a pick or 2 from Tenn & Winston…..Phil will give Tenn the farm….
We hold all the cards…because we could take Mariota at 1….this is why it’s smart for us to be patient with the process.
I still would like Mariota…but if we are going to get Winston…why not an extra pick or player with him…..
March 10th, 2015 at 5:18 pm
Cole’s a nice player by 2yrs $16 million is pretty rich for a team that isn’t going to win much in the next 2 years.
March 10th, 2015 at 5:18 pm
Can’t seem to keep those “negative Nellies” away. They’re here if we make a deal and they’re here when we don’t. STOP WHINING!
March 10th, 2015 at 5:19 pm
I hope we make some smart free agent pick ups.
March 10th, 2015 at 5:20 pm
Oh wait. They’re all gone except REVIS and no one is gonna pick him and his 20 mil that he is demanding
March 10th, 2015 at 5:21 pm
SIGN TIM TEBOW!!!!
March 10th, 2015 at 5:22 pm
I would love to have Hardy but that most likely wont happen…
As for Jabaal Sheard, I actually was hoping we drafted him the year he came outta Pitt…so if we can land him I’d be happy…He’s great against the run and a solid pass-rusher; he’s a tad under-sized but he’s a natural 4-3 DE but a few scheme changes seems to have stunted his growth a bit; Imo he’s be a good fit in Lovies scheme…As for Morgan, no thanks..I’d rather keep Clayborn or Bowers than over-pay him…
March 10th, 2015 at 5:25 pm
TBBF – Philly resigned Sanchez 2 days ago and just traded Foles and “undisclosed draft picks” to St Louis for Sam Bradford. Those 2 moves do not sound much like they are willing to trade the farm away for Mariota to me.
March 10th, 2015 at 5:26 pm
3 significant (among many) reasons free agents to avoid The Bucs; Lovie Smith is one of the top reasons, a horrible offense and 0 elite QB available… Playoff hopes years away….
March 10th, 2015 at 5:29 pm
@Pickgrin
It’s my understanding that St. Louis & Phil swapped 1s…..Phil now at #10
They could send picks and Bradford to Tenn…..I know we aren’t interested but Tenn may be.
It’s not over til it’s over.
March 10th, 2015 at 5:30 pm
Joe that picture of Lovie is perfect. We will see a lot of that from Lovie next year if we can’t fill these holes
March 10th, 2015 at 5:30 pm
Pickgrin Says:
March 10th, 2015 at 5:25 pm
TBBF – Philly resigned Sanchez 2 days ago and just traded Foles and “undisclosed draft picks” to St Louis for Sam Bradford. Those 2 moves do not sound much like they are willing to trade the farm away for Mariota to me.
_____________________________________________________________
They moved up 10 spots in the first round and now own a top 10 pick. Sanchez is on a short bridge deal, Bradford can be cut at anytime for Philly. They also got another second round pick for Foles. And Chip Kelly has been doing anything he wants without fear of repercussion…
So actually everything points to them going for Mariota. Every single conceivable sign say so. Whether they get there or not is different, but they are undoubtedly going for it.
March 10th, 2015 at 5:31 pm
@tbbf
where is that from? re swap of picks
March 10th, 2015 at 5:32 pm
where is your source on swap of picks people?
March 10th, 2015 at 5:34 pm
Cody…
Couldn’t agree more. Wanted to draft Sheard as well. Also, Bucs should get Clayborn back!
March 10th, 2015 at 5:34 pm
Well, I wouldn’t like them to trade for anyone because we can definitely use the picks we have. I wanted McCourty but he resigned with NE. Harvin would’ve been OK on a 1 year deal while we figured out the 3wr/pr/kr situation. Damn near anyone on the O-line would be an upgrade, so i’d be cool with that too. I wouldn’t mind Hardy, too, on a 1 year deal.
I think we should (need to and will) go QB with #1. Its documented that I prefer Winston (actually WANT Winston) but if Mariota is the guy, then I have to trust that the guys who’s job is on the line to make the proper selections know what they’re doing and I’ll get behind him like every other play on the roster.
I want to believe we are on the right path. We started looking better towards the end of last year, so all I can do is believe. As much as I didn’t believe in Glennon, I SO wanted him to prove that he could be the man (during his stretch of games last year). If he had been, we wouldn’t be in the position to draft as high as we are. We would be able to take a D-lineman with the #1 pick or trade it (like so many want to do). Hell, we might not even be picking #1…but alas, that’s all moot.
Absolutely think we have holes:
QB
OL
DE
MLB
FS
In that order. At the end of the day, though, it all starts with the QB. Can’t fill all the holes at once or in one year, might as well start with the one that matters most; the one that touches the ball every single play (on offense, obviously, lol).
What are your thoughts?
and you’re welcome.
JBuc Says:
March 10th, 2015 at 5:10 pm
It seems pretty obvious that Chip Kelly is trying to make a play for Mariotta. They now own the 10th pick but they need more chips because the wild card in Tennessee.
Please provide some sort of source for that statement. I have seen nothing of the sorts.
And look at that…
It only took 4 posts below mine to get to the tirade…
So, lets go ahead and sign all the big name players (like we’ve been doing for the past 2-3 years) and when they flop, complain that the Bucs always try to in Free Agency.
You do realize Michael Johnson was one of, if not THE top free agent DE last year, right?
I’m not going to quote your post, but I think it’s obsurd to think that a team would trade up from #2 to #1.
March 10th, 2015 at 5:40 pm
@celly, thanks, much appreciated.
i have been wanting a qb for 2 years. prefer winston over mariota, by far, but must trust in lovie/licht to make the correct choice. after last year’s failures, i am worried in the coach’s/gm’s skill at personnel decisions. at this point, this will be a 2-3 year process and they need to tell fans to have patience, now…lol.
March 10th, 2015 at 5:42 pm
@ Celly
Not absurd if you want the option to trade the pick more than what you give up….I said it was unlikely….but possible.
If I’m Tenn…and I want to make sure I get Mariota to trade…or keep…I’m giving the Bucs something (perhaps not much) for the pick.
Don’t have a source on the swap picks…but it’s been posted by many earlier…
March 10th, 2015 at 5:42 pm
Is the sky falling yet? Just checking. I mean, free agency is already 2 hours old and they haven’t signed the savior of the team yet!!! Oh my God, I’m going to jump. Goodbye cruel world…
March 10th, 2015 at 5:45 pm
@ Celly
The only reason I float a trade with Tenn…is that it is the only team I would consider trading with….we must pick one of the QBs….and that is the only way to assure we get one.
March 10th, 2015 at 5:47 pm
Looks to me that Licht is going to look for good value later in Free Agency. He learned his lesson after getting burned last year when we overpaid free agents who never produced. We don’t need to put out big bucks for a top tackle just to play RT. The Texans have a decent one who hasn’t been heavily pursued. I am OK on getting a Guard in the third round if we get the MLB we want in the draft at the second pick. I would be pleased if we got a third pick for Glennon and then signed Tebow to start while our Rookie Franchise QB learns the system and can run the OL while they develop chemistry which will take some time.
March 10th, 2015 at 5:47 pm
32 years old and I think he had 6.5 sacks last year, two more than Johnson. Are we supposed to be upset about this?
March 10th, 2015 at 5:51 pm
@Lurker
i wanted a QB last year, too…but when they didn’t pick one, was willing to see (and hope) that Glennon panned out.
I just get sick of the people that every year say, “we don’t need a QB this year. next year’s QBs are supposed to be better”. at some point, next year has to be THIS year.
@TBBF
the only people i’ve seen post that are “regular” people like you and me. I have yet to see anyone credible mention it. I’m willing to accept a tabloid as a source for this (right now) but i won’t accept some random “nobody” commenters on a blog, lol (no disrespect meant towards you in that statement).
March 10th, 2015 at 5:52 pm
There’s an issue that some of us need to come to grips with, NFL contracts are getting BIGGER. The salary cap has gone up 20M in just 2 years (123M to 143M), and is expected to continue to grow.
There are too many people saying “this player is asking too much” or “that’s a bad contract” or “stop wasting the Glazers money”. The money is going to get spent! The Glazers will spend AT LEAST 120M on the roster this year… that’s a fact.
Unfortunately, the Bucs are not a desirable destination right now. We won’t be getting any top notch talent in FA. The best L&L can do is find guys who “want” to be here, and they’ll overpay for them. They have to. Finding guys who want to be here, and signing favorable short term deals is the necessary road the Bucs have to walk….until Tampa does have something to attract players. A quality QB sure would help.
March 10th, 2015 at 5:52 pm
I can accept that.
With that being said, though, why even take the risk? If you have a guy that you believe is the guy, why even risk some one else taking him?
Write the players’ name on the card, go to the podium and don’t look back.
March 10th, 2015 at 5:54 pm
“at some point, next year has to be THIS year.”
agreed. i think the glazers might mandate a qb, but not the choice.
March 10th, 2015 at 5:55 pm
the bucs need not get cute with the #1 pick! just take the qb that you want/need.
March 10th, 2015 at 6:01 pm
Told you guys it would not happen.
March 10th, 2015 at 6:04 pm
Why not sign claiborne to a conservative depth chart deal? Hes a former first round pick who got hurt again last year. If we are not bringing anyone in then sign him for less
March 10th, 2015 at 6:13 pm
Yea you did bonzai. 🙁 didn’t want to believe you but sadly it’s true
March 10th, 2015 at 6:21 pm
@Kevin,
The Bucs don’t have money issues, we have talent/loyalty issues. Clayborn may be loyal, but if we can find a younger, hungrier player….well, he should be gone.
March 10th, 2015 at 6:25 pm
If Tennessee thinks they have something in Mettenbuger, then Philly could put a package together for Tennessee that might include Bradford. That gets Chip up to 2. So they would force the Bucs hand to take Marcus or offer up something additional to assure they get Marcus. However, not sure what they would have left that we would want after they trade up.
March 10th, 2015 at 6:34 pm
If TEN thinks they have something in Mettenberger, why would they care about Bradford?
I think the Titans like Mettenberger and the draft day QB battle is between the Bucs and Jets.
March 10th, 2015 at 6:41 pm
Because he’s a bit unproven and what else do they have? Bradford could be brought in to compete either in Tenn or in Tampa. Maybe it makes more sense to package him to tampa as a bridge to Winston.
March 10th, 2015 at 7:03 pm
bradford too expensive and never plays…who will give up a #1 for him?
March 10th, 2015 at 7:11 pm
JBucs, you’re ignoring your own premise. Do the Titans like Mberger, or not?
If they do, then Bradford is worth little. If they don’t like Mberger, why trade down.
I think Philly is out of the equation. They’re gonna roll with Bradford and Sanchez. I’d be happy with that if I was an Eagle fan.
March 10th, 2015 at 7:41 pm
I’d take Bradford, two number 1’s and two 2’s. Bradford is much more skilled than Winston.
March 10th, 2015 at 8:27 pm
and you’d be making a mistake, buddha!
March 10th, 2015 at 8:47 pm
@buddha,
Bradford is an accurate passer at short range. That’s about it. He’ll do very well in Philly on that ability alone. Winston has several other skills which we can only hope translate to the NFL field. With Bradford, you know what you’ve got.
March 10th, 2015 at 9:51 pm
Bill said: “With Bradford, you know what you’ve got.”
Yeah you got a qb that will be hard pressed to start double digit games in any given season. Philly taking a real chance on the guy but it was obvious that Coach Kelly was not enamored with Foles. Rams get to stock up on a few draft picks and perhaps Foles can play well enough to make the Rams competitive out in the NFC West as the rams seemed to have a pretty solid roster last season with the exception of qb. I wish we could say the same thing about our Bucs!
March 11th, 2015 at 1:32 am
BTW, Duemig seemed a bit miffed with the Tampa Bay Times writer Auman….. Good point from Booger McFarland: if a player is decent he is not going to make it to free agency unless he is out for the insane coin like Suh got from the Fins…. I hope Joe is right in that Casper Johnson gets his walking papers by Thursday to free up some $ to get some OL help or perhaps someone who can rush the qb from the outside for the Buc D; something Casper could not accomplish. too bad the Bucs could not land Cole.
March 11th, 2015 at 6:04 am
FortMyersDave,
Booger says no decent player ever hits free agency unless they are out for insane coin.
So it makes perfect sense that the Bucs should be looking to upgrade their OL and pass rush from a bunch of sub-par gold-digging bums? Right?
I’ll suggest Booger might not know what he’s talking about.